O’ Súilleabháin: No pylons until we see scale of EUs renewable energy backtrack

Following on from his interview regarding pylons on national television this week, a local Sinn Féin election candidate has called for an immediate freeze on all pylon and wind turbine projects until the scale of the European Union’s fallback on mandatory renewable energy targets can be determined.  Fionntán O’ Súilleabháin said he favoured renewable energy, but only where it posed no realistic threats, either health or economic.

Mr O’ Súilleabháín said;

“It looks very much like the EU Commission plans to scale back its mandatory renewable energy targets post 2020.  This completely changes what our states long term commitments should be, and while Sinn Féin favours the development of safe renewable energy, we believe that the memorandum of understanding signed between the Irish and British government concerning the supply of renewable power should be suspended immediately until further clarification is sought from the EU.”

“Wind and water power must be developed safely and in a manner that is sustainable as we move along.  It should not be rushed in order to meet EU targets which may no longer be applicable.  In particular, the deeply divisive EirGrid project should be stalled and re-examined in responds to these new revelations.”

“This is the perfect opportunity to develop a sustainable All-Ireland Renewable Energy programme which can safely and concisely harness the great natural advantages that we as an island have.”